Surgical First Assistant at Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon Inc

We are a group of enthusiastic pet heroes who go beyond expectations at providing a personalized experience for all patient-guests and their parents. We currently provide dermatology, internal medicine, medical oncology, surgery, ophthalmology, neurology, physical rehabilitation, urgent care and emergency services. Our quality of care and diverse specialty offerings makes VRCCO's team the leaders in advanced pet care for Central Oregon. To improve the experience for our patients and help support our amazing team we have created a purpose built veterinary hospital campus, with over 26,000 sq ft to serve our community. This facility has all the advanced diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities (MRI, CT, Fluoroscopy, chemotherapy etc) it also has a campus-like feeling for employees and clients with food trucks, childcare for staff, beer garden, and an upstairs balcony.

At the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon, we believe that teamwork, superior patient and client care, education, and fun are the secret to a wonderful career. From day one we have known our staff has to come first to make this happen. We are pretty sure we are the first ever, and perhaps still the only, Veterinary Specialty Hospital to be Great Place To Work Certified (https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/7041336). Come see the difference for yourself and be a part of our team.

The Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon is seeking a full time Certified Veterinary Technician for our Surgery Department who aligns with our values. The Surgery Technician works in a team environment to provide care to in/ out patients from the Surgery Department. The Surgery Technician uses clinical knowledge and the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon's SOP to assist in surgical procedures, processing instruments for sterilization, assist in maintaining a pristine pre-operative and surgical area, and other treatments to patients in accordance with the primary DVM's orders. This is done in a calm, organized and efficient manner working closely with the surgery supervisor and is under the supervision of the department doctors and Clinical Manager. This position is responsible for ensuring patients' treatments are completed in a safe and timely manner. It requires attention to detail, strong communication skills, the ability to triage medical situations and the ability to take direction from others.

Essential Functions:

Maintenance of hospital

• Disinfect kennels, treatment tables, and other surfaces
• Disinfect and keep exam rooms orderly
• Clean, sterilize, and maintain medical equipment and instruments
• Launder towels, blankets and surgical gowns
• Sweep and mop as needed
• Stock necessary supplies in accordance with our inventory system
• Remove garbage and recyclable materials

Patient Care

• Restrain patients for exams and medical treatments in a safe manner for both the patient and staff
• Walk, feed and bathe patients
• Performing medical treatments under the supervision of a Doctor.
• Administration and application of drugs, fluids, medications and immunological agents by oral, and/ or injectable routes.
• Utilization of computer and software systems to enter and maintain medical record keeping.
• Assist veterinarians in examinations, diagnostics, and surgical procedures.
• Perform venipuncture, collect laboratory samples, and conduct diagnostic tests.
• Induce and monitor anesthesia during procedures, ensuring patient safety and well-being.
• Provide post-operative care and monitor recovery progress.
• Monitor patients for pain and discomfort and relay changing demeanor to assistants/doctors
• IV catheterization and venipuncture
• Obtain blood pressures via doppler and oscillometric
• Provide other medical treatments per VRCCO's Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs)

Client Communications

• Obtain and write histories from pet parents
• Provide nursing updates as needed
• Provide treatment plans and financial updates
• Review discharge summaries and provide pet parent education
• Assist CSR with telephone inquiries, scheduling appointments and taking payments as necessary

Laboratory

• Collect and handle laboratory samples (feces, urine, cystocentesis, cerebrospinal fluid, blood, biopsy, and cytology samples)
• Perform in house laboratory tests
• Store and package laboratory samples for external submission
• Assist in maintaining inventory of laboratory supplies and reordering as necessary.

Radiology

• Perform radiographic procedures, including positioning, restraint, exposure, and film development.
• Perform CT scans, including positioning, restraint, exposure, and image composition
• Ensure proper maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment and radiographic machinery.
• Restrain patients for ultrasounds

Other

• Other duties as assigned

Education & Experience:

• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) credential, or equivalent (RVT, LVT), from an accredited veterinary technician program.
• Current certification and licensure in the state of practice.
• Solid understanding of veterinary medical terminology, procedures, and pharmacology.
• Technical knowledge in a clinical setting acquired through apprenticeship, degree pursuit, or professional certification.
• Preferred: hands on experience working in Surgery or Specialty Medicine unit of a veterinary hospital

Knowledge, skills, and abilities and/ or competencies:

• Calm and reassuring in stressful situations
• Medical math - calculating basic formulas for weight conversions, medication dose conversions, chemotherapy dose calculations
• Knowledge of feline and canine anatomy
• Patient restraint
• Customer service and people skills

Physical demands:

• Lift and carry up to 40 lbs,
• Team lift and carry up to 150 lbs
• Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions, deal with problems with concrete variables and draw appropriate/accurate conclusions.
• Sit, stand, stoop, bend and walk intermittently during the day on hard floor surfaces.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to accurately work with small, delicate pieces of equipment or large heavy objects/containers/machinery.
• Wear all protective gear including mask, gloves, gown, hairnet, safety goggles etc.
• Work for long periods of time with arms extended.
• Work within an environment that has high levels of animal sounds, bodily fluids that need disposal, and open wound management.

The above duties are not an exclusive list. As the CVT's knowledge base and skill set grow, training will be provided for more advanced duties.

EEO Statement:

VRCCO believes that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our One Team success. All employment decisions are based on merit, experience, ability, performance, and business needs.

Compensation details: 27-32 Hourly Wage

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